JP5083093B2 - File management apparatus, file management program, and file management system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a file management technique for storing an electronic file received from an external information processing device via a network in a predetermined storage location.

In Patent Document 1, transmission data such as an identification number of an image data of a transmission original, a transmission destination telephone number, and the like are accumulated, and the transmission data is transmitted when the transmission destination is busy or a transmission error occurs due to a communication error or the like. Based on the above, a facsimile apparatus that displays non-delivery information on a display unit has been proposed.
JP-A-8-279871

  In addition, an information processing device such as MFP (Multi Function peripherals), which is a multifunctional image forming apparatus that has been rapidly spreading in recent years, and a document management server are connected via a network, and an electronic file output from the MFP is temporarily stored. There is provided a system in which a folder to be stored is provided on a network, the folder is periodically monitored from the document management server, and an electronic file is stored in the folder and stored in the document management server. As the folder, for example, a shared folder in which a predetermined storage area on a hard disk in a relay server such as an SMB server is accessible from a plurality of devices including the MFP is used.

  Here, instead of directly transmitting the electronic file from the MFP to the document management server and storing it, the folder is relayed when the electronic file is directly transmitted from the MFP to the document management server and stored. This is because a dedicated module for executing the function needs to be mounted in the MFP, but such a dedicated module is not required when using a folder, which is advantageous in terms of cost. Further, when using a folder, there is an advantage that data can be stored even when the document management server is inaccessible due to a system failure or the like.

  However, in a system in which an electronic file transmitted from the MFP is temporarily stored in a folder on the network and then stored in the document management server, the storage location of the electronic file on the folder can be known from the MFP side. There is a problem that it is not easy to know the storage location of the electronic file on the document management server.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems. An electronic file transmitted from an information processing device such as an MFP is temporarily stored in a folder on a network, and then a document management device such as a document management server. It is an object to provide a file management device, a file management program, and a file management system that can easily obtain a storage location of an electronic file on a document management device from an information processing device even when stored in a document management device. It is what.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 is a file management system in which an information processing device and a file management apparatus are connected via a network, wherein the information processing device is provided on the network. A file output means for sending and storing an electronic file in association with specific information for specifying the electronic file in a folder, and the file management device includes a storage means for storing the electronic file, and a folder from the information processing device to the folder. Data storage control means for storing the electronic file transmitted and temporarily stored in the storage means, and storage information including a storage destination address is created in response to the electronic file being stored in the storage means. Storage information creating means for transmitting to the folder in association with the specific information and storing the information, and storing the information The physical device further includes a display unit for displaying information, a history display processing unit for displaying the specific information for specifying the electronic file transmitted to the folder on the display unit, and the specific unit displayed on the display unit. An operating means for accepting designation of information, and an electronic file stored in the folder by the stored information creating means, identified by the particular information in response to the designation of the specific information being accepted by the operating means. e Bei an output destination access means for transmitting the viewing request for the storage information, the storage information generating means, when the storage in the storage means of the electronic file by the data storage control means is successful, stores the result And storage information including a storage destination address is created and transmitted to the folder in association with specific information for specifying the electronic file. If the storage of the electronic file by the data storage control unit fails, storage information excluding a storage destination address is created, and the folder is associated with specific information for specifying the electronic file. To be transmitted and stored .

The invention according to claim 6 is a file management apparatus connected to an information processing device via a network, wherein the storage means stores an electronic file, and the information processing device transmits the file to a folder provided on the network. A data storage control means for storing the electronic file temporarily stored in the storage means in association with specific information for specifying the electronic file;
Storage information creation means for creating storage information including a storage destination address in response to the electronic file being stored in the storage means, and transmitting and storing the storage information in association with specific information for specifying the electronic file e Bei the door, the storage information generating means, when the storage in the storage means of the electronic file by the data storage control means is successful, creates the storage information including storage results and storage destination address, wherein In the case where the storage of the electronic file by the data storage control unit fails to store in the storage unit in association with the specific information for specifying the electronic file, the storage information excluding the storage destination address is stored. It is created and associated with specific information for specifying the electronic file, transmitted to the folder and stored .

The invention according to claim 10 is transmitted from the information processing device to a folder provided on the network and temporarily stored in a computer that controls the file management apparatus connected to the information processing device via the network. Storing the stored electronic file in the storage means of the file management device, and creating storage information including a storage destination address in response to the electronic file being stored in the storage means, and specifying the electronic file Transmitting to the folder in association with the specific information and storing it , and storing the storage result when the storing to the storage means of the electronic file by the storing step is successful. And storage information including the storage destination address is created and associated with the specific information for specifying the electronic file. When storing in the storage means of the electronic file by the step of storing and transmitting to a folder fails, storage information excluding a storage destination address is created, and specific information for specifying the electronic file It is a step of associating and transmitting to the folder and storing it .

  According to the invention described in each of the above claims, when the electronic file temporarily stored in the folder on the network is stored in the storage unit of the file management device, the storage information including the storage destination address is stored. Created and transmitted to the folder and stored in association with specific information for specifying the electronic file. For this reason, the information processing device can easily acquire the storage location of the electronic file on the file management apparatus by specifying the specific information for specifying the electronic file and accessing the storage information stored in the folder. It becomes possible.

  FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram showing an embodiment of a file management system according to the present invention. The file management system includes a multi function peripherals (hereinafter referred to as “MFP”) 1 as an information processing device, a relay server 2 having a shared folder 21 for temporarily storing electronic files from the MFP 1, The file management apparatus 3 stores an electronic file temporarily stored in the folder 21, and these are connected to each other via a network. One MFP or a plurality of required MFPs are connected.

  This file management system generally stores an electronic file transmitted from the MFP 1 in the file management apparatus 3. More specifically, the electronic file transmitted from the MFP 1 is once transferred to the shared folder 21. The file management device 3 takes in and stores the file. In the above processing, the transmission processing from the various MFPs 1 as the transmission source to the shared folder 21 is called an output job, and the processing transmitted from the shared folder 21 to the file management apparatus 3 that is the storage destination and stored therein is stored processing. That's it. The output job history is called an output log, and the storage processing history is called a storage log (storage information). The feature of this system is that the storage log information is transferred from the file management apparatus 3 to the shared folder 21 in association with the output log information, and the MFP 1 browses the storage log corresponding to the output log from the shared folder 21. It is at a point where it is possible. In the following description, the output log and the storage log may be collectively referred to as “log information”.

  The MFP 1 is an image processing apparatus having multiple functions, and includes an electronic file acquisition unit 11 such as a scanner that optically reads a document image and an image forming unit 12 as a multifunction peripheral. The image forming unit 12 receives a request from an external personal computer or the like, prints an image on recording paper, a copy function that copies an image read by the electronic file acquisition unit 11 on recording paper, and a public line. A facsimile (Fax) function for transmitting and receiving image information to and from other facsimile machines. Information read as an electronic file by the electronic file acquisition unit 11 includes both image data and document data. Moreover, as another aspect of the electronic file acquisition unit 11, an aspect in which an electronic file created by an external information processing terminal (personal computer) or stored in the storage medium may be included.

  The MFP 1 also includes an electronic file output unit 13, a display unit 14, an operation unit 15, a history display processing unit 16, an output destination access unit 17, a storage destination access unit 18, and a web browser unit 19. The electronic file output unit 13 executes an output job for storing the electronic file acquired by the electronic file acquisition unit 11 in the shared folder 21, and is executed upon receiving an operation instruction from the operation unit 15. Each time an output job is generated, the electronic file output unit 13 creates specific information (address of the transmission source MFP) of its own MFP 1 and specific information (jobID) of the electronic file and adds them to the electronic file to be transmitted.

  The display unit 14 is disposed at an appropriate position such as the upper surface of a housing (not shown) of the MFP 1 and is composed of a liquid crystal display panel or the like and displays an image. The images include various guide images for operation guides, images including buttons, output log information, and predetermined information received from the relay server 2 and the file management device 3 described later. The operation unit 15 includes various mechanical operation keys (such as ten keys) or a transparent touch panel as a pointing device laid on the screen of the display unit 14. By associating the correspondence between the pressed coordinate information of the touch panel and the display coordinates and display areas of the buttons displayed on the display unit 14 in advance, which button or which area is designated after the touch panel is pressed. Can be detected.

  The history display processing unit 16 displays an output job history (output log) in an appropriate area of the display unit 14. When an output log button (not shown) on the screen as the operation unit 15 is pressed, the history display processing unit 16 displays the output log of its own MFP 1 as a list, and further specifies from the operation unit 15 In response to the designation of the output job, the storage information of the storage process corresponding to the specific output job is displayed together with the output job information.

  2A and 2B are diagrams showing the contents of log information, where FIG. 2A is a diagram showing an example of a list of log information stored in the shared folder 21 of the relay server 2 described later, and FIG. 2B is a browsing request from the MFP 1. FIG. 6 is a screen diagram showing storage information of an electronic file transmitted from the relay server 2 in response to and displayed on the display unit 14. The former two “source MFP address” and “jobID” in FIG. 2A correspond to output job information. The “transmission source MFP address” is identification information that identifies the MFP that is the transmission source of the electronic file, and is specified by a MAC address. “JobID” is identification information for identifying an electronic file, and is generally assigned a serial number in the order of transmission in each MFP. Further, the “storage destination address” and “storage result” of the latter two of FIG. 2A correspond to the storage processing information. The “storage destination address” is information for specifying a storage location in the file management apparatus 3, and some information is specified by an IP address. In this case, it can be browsed by a Web browser via the Internet. “Storage result” is information relating to success or failure of storage. The failure in storage is assumed to be, for example, an electronic file including at least a part of information created in an unspecified file format, or when the file management apparatus 3 is down. Electronic file formats include PDF, GIF, JPEG, PNG, and others, among which file processing applicable to the present system can be stored.

  Here, the configuration of the relay server 2 will be described. The relay server 2 uses the SMB (Server Message Block) protocol or the like to temporarily store an electronic file that is desired to be stored, or to send a predetermined message transmitted from the file management device 3 as will be described later. And a data input / output control unit 22 for transmitting / receiving predetermined data corresponding to each access and the shared folder 21 for storing the information and the access from the MFP 1 and the file management apparatus 3. The shared folder 21 has at least an electronic file storage area and a log information storage area.

  The output destination access unit 17 displays the output log (list) of its own MFP 1 on the display unit 14 in accordance with the operation of the output log button of the operation unit 15 by the user. Further, when the output destination access unit 17 receives a selection by pressing a specific output job from the output log (output job list) from the MFP 1 displayed on the display unit 14 by the operation unit 15, the relay server 2 and referring to the log information storage area in the shared folder 21, whether there is log information having the MAC address of the MFP 1 (address of the transmission source MFP) and the jobID of the selected output job. Search for. If there is corresponding log information, the output destination access unit 17 takes the log information into the MFP 1 and causes the history display processing unit 16 to display the log information on the display unit 14 (FIG. 2B). reference). In the case of “storage failure” described above, the contents of the storage log and the display contents on the display unit 14 are, for example, “storage destination address” is not displayed (no data), and “storage result” is “ "Failed" is displayed.

  The storage destination access unit 18 activates the web browser unit 19 in response to the “storage destination address” being designated by the user via the operation unit 15 on the display screen of FIG. The Web browser unit 19 refers to the IP address of the “storage destination address”, receives a file posted at the address via a network, for example, the Internet, and displays the file on the display unit 14.

  The file management apparatus 3 includes a database unit 30 as a storage unit that stores various electronic files to be taken in from each of the connected MFPs 1 via the shared folder 21, and data for performing control for storing the electronic files in the database unit 30. A storage control unit 31 and a storage information creation unit 32 that creates log information (see FIG. 2A) according to the storage process and transmits the log information to the shared folder 21 are provided. The data storage control unit 31 and the storage information creation unit 32 are functionally realized by a central processing unit (CPU) (not shown) executing a program stored in advance in a storage unit such as a ROM.

  The database unit 30 includes a storage device such as a hard disk. In the present embodiment, the database unit 30 is constructed (connected) on the Internet, and the corresponding electronic file can be viewed with a Web browser by specifying an IP address. Has been. The network may be other wide area network system (WAN) or LAN (Local Area Network) besides the Internet.

  The data storage control unit 31 includes a monitoring unit 311 and a data storage processing unit 312. The monitoring unit 311 accesses the shared folder 21 of the relay server 2 at a predetermined timing, determines whether or not an electronic file exists in the shared folder 21, and if present, all the existing electronic files Is taken out to the file management device 3. The access timing of the monitoring unit 311 may be a predetermined cycle, or may be a different cycle depending on the time using a built-in timing means (timer). Moreover, it is good also as an aspect which changes a timing suitably from the presence performance (recent usage frequency) etc. of the storage quantity of an electronic file.

  The data storage processing unit 312 performs processing for storing the electronic file captured by the monitoring unit 311 in the database unit 30 for each “source MFP address” and “jobID”, that is, in units of electronic files. The storage information creation unit 32 determines whether the electronic file is stored in the database unit 30 by the data storage processing unit 312 and the storage destination address when the storage is successful. Data). Further, the storage information creating unit 32 associates the storage information with “transmission source MFP address” and “jobID” for each “transmission source MFP address” and “jobID” for each electronic file (FIG. 2A). Reference) is sent as log information to the log information storage area of the shared folder 21 of the relay server 2 for writing.

  The shared folder 21 of the relay server 2 stores log information for the past in a list in the order received. Of course, in addition to the order of reception, it may be sorted by a certain content, for example, for each type (address) of the transmission source MFP.

  The electronic file transmitted from the MFP 1 to the shared folder 21 of the relay server 2 and temporarily stored is read by the file management device 3 and stored, for example, based on a deletion command from the data storage control unit 31. Deleted. Further, the log information stored in the shared folder 21 may be all including the past, but by using the built-in timer, the portion after a predetermined period may be deleted sequentially. Good.

  Next, processing procedures executed by each unit will be described with reference to flowcharts. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of a data input / output processing procedure executed by the relay server 2. Such processing is realized by the CPU of the relay server 2 executing a program stored in a storage medium such as a ROM.

  In FIG. 3, when there is an external reception or access, it is first determined whether or not an electronic file is received from the MFP 1 (step S1). If the electronic file is received from the MFP 1, the received electronic file is stored in the shared folder 21 (step S3).

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S1 that the electronic file is not received from the MFP 1, it is determined whether or not the browsing request is received from the MFP 1 (step S5). As will be described later, when the operation unit 15 of the MFP 1 receives an operation for selecting a desired output job from the output log (output job list) displayed on the display unit 14, the browsing request is received from the MFP 1. It is transmitted to the relay server 2. The browsing request includes the MAC address of the MFP 1 (address of the transmission source MFP) and the job ID of the selected output job. The browsing request only needs to include at least the job ID of the selected output job. If the browse request is received from the MFP 1, the log information stored in the shared folder 21 includes the address and jobID of the source MFP that match the address and jobID of the source MFP included in the received browse request. Whether or not there is log information is searched, and the search result is returned to the MFP 1 that has requested browsing (step S7).

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S5 that the browse request is not received from the MFP 1, it is determined whether or not the access is from the data storage control unit 31 of the file management apparatus 3 (step S9). If the access is from the data storage control unit 31 of the file management device 3, the electronic file stored in the shared folder 21 is read (step S11). On the other hand, if the access is not from the data storage control unit 31 of the file management device 3 in step S9, it is assumed that the log information is received from the storage information creation unit 32, and the received log information is stored in the log information in the shared folder 21. It is stored in the area (step S13).

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure executed by the file management apparatus 3. Such processing is realized by the CPU of the file management apparatus 3 executing a program stored in a storage medium such as a ROM. First, the monitoring unit 311 accesses the relay server 2 and determines whether there is an electronic file stored in the shared folder 21 (step S21). If there is no stored electronic file, this flowchart ends. On the other hand, when the electronic file is stored, the stored electronic file is taken out by the monitoring unit 311 to the file management apparatus 3 side, and then stored in the database unit 30 by the data storage processing unit 312 (step S3). S23). Subsequently, the storage information creation unit 32 associates the output log with the storage log, that is, for each electronic file, the transmission source information, jobID, the storage result, and the storage destination information are associated with each other as log information. It is transmitted to the relay server 2 and stored in the shared folder 21 (step S25). When the data storage processing unit 312 has successfully stored the electronic file in the database unit 30, “success” is set as the storage result, and “storage destination address” of the electronic file is set as the storage destination information. In this case, “failure” is set as the storage result, and no data is set in the storage destination information.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure executed by the MFP 1. Such processing is realized by the CPU of the MFP 1 executing a program stored in a storage medium such as a ROM. In FIG. 5, first, when a user designates a specific output job from the output log (output job history) displayed on the display unit 14 via the operation unit 15 (step S31), the output destination is accessed. The browsing request including the MAC address of the own machine (address of the transmission source MFP) and the jpbID of the selected output job is transmitted to the relay server 2 by the unit 17 (step S33). Then, the relay server 2 searches whether there is log information having the address and job ID of the source MFP that matches the address and job ID of the source MFP included in the transmitted browsing request, and the search result is received. (Step S35). If there is no corresponding log information, only the output job information is displayed on the display unit 14 (step S37).

  On the other hand, if there is corresponding log information in step S35, the storage result of the electronic file is referred to and it is determined whether or not it is successful (step S39). If the storage result is unsuccessful, the output job information and the storage result are displayed on the display unit 14 (step S41).

  On the other hand, if the storage result is successful in step S39, the output job information, the storage result, and the storage destination address are displayed on the display unit 14 as shown in FIG. 2B (step S43). Next, it is determined whether or not a storage destination address has been specified by the user via the operation unit 15 (step S45). If not specified, this flowchart ends, and if specified, a storage destination access unit. 18 activates the Web browser unit 19 to read the electronic file at the corresponding address in the database unit 30 and display it on the display unit 14 (step S47).

  The present invention can adopt the following modes.

(1) In this embodiment, the folder for storing electronic files and log information is a shared folder that can be accessed from a plurality of MFPs 1, but it may be a folder that is not shared. In this case, access from only the desired MFP can be accepted, and the type of job can be set appropriately and restrictively, increasing versatility.

(2) In the present embodiment, an example in which the relay server 2 has the shared folder 21 is shown. However, the file management apparatus 3 may have the shared folder 21. In this case, the file management apparatus 3 also realizes the function of the data input / output control unit 22 (the process shown in the flowchart of FIG. 3). That is, in this case, the relay server 2 is unnecessary, and a file management system is constructed by the MFP 1 and the file management device 3.

(3) Date and time information may be included in the output log information using a timer function (clock function) in the MFP 1. In this way, log selection becomes easier.

(4) In this embodiment, the MFP 1 is exemplified as the information processing device, but other image processing apparatuses such as a network printer and a network scanner may be used as the information processing device. A personal computer can also be used as an information processing device.

1 is an overall configuration diagram showing an embodiment of a file management system according to the present invention. 4A and 4B are diagrams illustrating contents of log information, in which FIG. 4A is a diagram illustrating an example of a list of log information stored in the shared folder 21 of the relay server 2, and FIG. FIG. 6 is a screen diagram showing storage information of an electronic file transmitted from and displayed on the display unit 14. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a data input / output processing procedure executed by the relay server 2; 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a predetermined procedure executed by the file management apparatus 3; 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure executed by the MFP.

Explanation of symbols

1 MFP (information processing equipment)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 13 Electronic file output part 14 Display part 15 Operation part 16 History display process part 17 Output destination access part 18 Storage destination access part 19 Web browser part 2 Relay server 21 Shared folder 22 Data input / output control part 3 File management apparatus 30 Database part 31 Data storage control unit 311 Monitoring unit 312 Data storage processing unit 32 Storage information creation unit

Claims (11)

In a file management system in which an information processing device and a file management device are connected via a network,
The information processing device includes a file output unit that transmits an electronic file to a folder provided on the network in association with specific information that identifies the electronic file, and stores the electronic file.
The file management apparatus includes: storage means for storing electronic files; data storage control means for storing electronic files transmitted from the information processing device to the folder and temporarily stored in the storage means; and the electronic files Is stored in the storage means, storage information including a storage destination address is created, storage information creation means is transmitted to the folder in association with the specific information and stored,
The information processing device is further displayed on the display unit, a display unit for displaying information, history display processing means for displaying the specific information for specifying the electronic file transmitted to the folder on the display unit, and the display unit An operation unit that receives the specification of the specific information, and an electronic device stored in the folder by the storage information creation unit that is specified by the specific information in response to the specification of the specific information being received by the operation unit. e Bei an output destination access means for transmitting the viewing request for the information stored in the file,
The storage information creation means is the storage of the electronic file by the data storage control means.
If the storage to the means is successful, create storage information including the storage result and storage address.
, Send and store in the folder in association with specific information for specifying the electronic file,
When storage of the electronic file in the storage unit by the data storage control unit fails
The storage information excluding the storage destination address is created and specific information for specifying the electronic file and
A file management system for associating and transmitting to the folder for storage . The file management system has a relay server with the folder,
In response to the browsing request from the information processing device, the relay server transmits storage information associated with specific information that matches the specific information included in the browsing request to the information processing device. The file management system according to claim 1, comprising means. The folder is provided in the file management device,
In response to the browsing request from the information processing device, the file management device is configured to input / output data stored in the information processing device that is associated with specific information that matches the specific information included in the browsing request. The file management system according to claim 1, further comprising a control unit. The file management system according to claim 1, wherein the identification information that identifies the electronic file includes transmission source information that identifies an information processing device that is a transmission source that has transmitted the electronic file to the folder. The information processing device reads the electronic file stored in the storage destination address in response to the specification of the storage destination address included in the storage information transmitted in response to the browsing request, and displays the display comprising a storage destination access means for displaying the section, claim 2-4
A file management system according to any of the above. A file management device connected to an information processing device via a network,
Storage means for storing electronic files;
A data storage control means for storing an electronic file transmitted from the information processing device to a folder provided on the network and temporarily stored in the storage means in association with specific information for identifying the electronic file;
Storage information creation means for creating storage information including a storage destination address in response to the electronic file being stored in the storage means, and transmitting and storing the storage information in association with specific information for specifying the electronic file for example Bei the door,
The storage information creation means is the storage of the electronic file by the data storage control means.
If the storage to the means is successful, create storage information including the storage result and storage address.
, Send and store in the folder in association with specific information for specifying the electronic file,
When storage of the electronic file in the storage unit by the data storage control unit fails
The storage information excluding the storage destination address is created and specific information for specifying the electronic file and
A file management device that associates and transmits to the folder for storage . The file management apparatus according to claim 6 , wherein the folder is provided in a relay server connected to the network. The folder is provided in the file management apparatus, and stores information associated with specific information that matches the specific information included in the browsing request in response to the browsing request from the information processing device. Further comprising data input / output control means for transmitting to
6. The file management device according to 6 . The file management apparatus according to claim 6 , wherein the identification information that identifies the electronic file includes transmission source information that identifies an information processing device that is a transmission source that has transmitted the electronic file to the folder. To a computer that controls a file management device connected to an information processing device via a network,
Storing the electronic file transmitted from the information processing device to a folder provided on the network and temporarily stored in a storage unit of the file management apparatus; and the electronic file is stored in the storage unit Depending on the case, creating storage information including a storage destination address, sending the information to the folder in association with specific information for specifying the electronic file, and storing the information ,
The storing step creates storage information including a storage result and a storage destination address when the electronic file is successfully stored in the storage unit in the storing step, and specifies the electronic file. If the storage of the electronic file in the storage means fails in the storing step, the storage information excluding the storage destination address is created and the electronic file is identified. A file management program , which is a step of transmitting and storing the specific information in association with the specific information to be stored . The file management device comprises the folder;
In a computer that controls the file management device,
The step of further transmitting the stored information associated with the specific information that matches the specific information included in the browsing request to the information processing device in response to the browsing request from the information processing device. 10. The file management program according to 10 .

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